Sterile Processing Technician is one of our most popular online training programs available from UMKC TalentLink and our healthcare training partner MedCerts. The program prepares you to gain industry certification and work in a healthcare setting in a high-demand role. Once completed, you will be ready to begin a career pathway with rewarding pay and benefits. 

A Sterile Processing Technician’s role is essential to a safe, smooth, and effective workflow as part of the healthcare team. Earning certification is a first step on your pathway to work as a Sterile Processing Technician.
 
Once you’re trained and certified as a Sterile Processing Technician, you may begin earning up to $45,000 in estimated salary, plus benefits. Glassdoor indicates that technicians with less than one year of experience in the Kansas City area may earn on average between $35,000-48,000. Local employers seeking Sterile Processing Technicians include hospitals, surgery centers, healthcare systems, clinics, and other facilities.

What does a Sterile Processing Technician Do?

Imagine the tens of thousands of medical instruments that a hospital uses (and reuses) each month during treatment and surgery. Some supplies are disposable. The reusable supplies and instruments must be cleaned, sterilized, and maintained for proper use.

Sterile Processing Technicians prepare surgical instruments and devices. They clean, inspect, test, sterilize, store and deliver devices needed for surgery in a healthcare facility. Other job duties may include

• Verify and accurately document missing instruments
• Record sterilizer test results
• Ensure each instrument is in good working order prior to placing in-tray for use,
• Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, a machine that uses steam under pressure to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores on items
• Keep records of loads complete, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed
• Make recommendations to management for possible improvement
• Communicate effectively with operating room personnel and others

How does the MedCerts training program work?

Online courses include Intro to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology, Professionalism in Allied Health, and Sterile Processing. The Sterile Processing Technician program can be completed in 14 weeks or less than four months. Materials covered include expert-led video training, textbook, competency assessments, and national certification exam fee as well as support from Student Success Advisors.

MedCerts programs are designed for people who learn in different ways including visual learning, interactive learning, and game-based learning. MedCerts develops their online training programs in-house with guidance and contributions from industry-recognized subject matter experts and an education technology design team. Online learning includes interactive simulations, interviews with real world experts, and game based learning.

Watch a sneak peak of the MedCerts Sterile Processing Technician training program.

How To Become a Sterile Processing Technician Through UMKC TalentLink and MedCerts

Prior healthcare experience isn’t a requirement. To prepare for this role, you can learn through MedCerts’ online certification training. You’ll complete expert-led video-based training that you can access from home on your schedule.  

Completing training and earning certification can lead to more specialized and better-paying pathways in the healthcare field.

The 14-week program includes course and study materials, dedicated student success advisors, and access to MedCerts’ career center and career coaches for a year after certification completion. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed for the certification exam. 

MedCerts’ education consultants are available to discuss flexible payment plans for the tuition. Spouses of active duty service members can access the MyCAA Grant, a Department of Defense program offering up to $4,000 in financial aid.

How Do I Get Started?

Request more information from UMKC TalentLink’s healthcare training partner MedCerts about the Sterile Processing Technician program. A MedCerts representative will contact you to share program information and answer your questions.